Romtec Colorvision Explained

Colorvision
Manufacturer:Romtec
Type:Handheld game console
Generation:Second generation
Power:2 x C batteries
Display:Color LCD
Sound:Internal speaker
Input:Action button, HR/CLR and ACL buttons, Joystick
Releasedate:1984

The Colorvision is a handheld video game console developed and manufactured by Hong Kong-based company Romtec Enterprises, Ltd., released in Hong Kong and Europe in 1984.[1] [2] [3] [4]

It is the first handheld video game console to have colored sprites on a LCD screen instead of overlays or VFD displays.[5] Previous systems like The Entex Select-A-Game had games that came with overlays to enhance the graphics and play experience, while only the cartridge is needed on the Colorvision.

It was manufactured and released by Romtec, but the console was also distributed under several brands, including Altic, Bazin and Bristol.[6] [7]

Hardware

The game code was all contained in the console, meaning that the cartridges functioned similar to the jumper cards on the Magnavox Odyssey to control which game would be played, and only contained the LCD portion of the game with the sprites.[1] [8] The LCD was clear, and the plastic shell contains a window to let light through.

The console contains the controls for the game, and the cartridge port on the top, where it slides into place, showing a bezel with the name of the game. The play screen is a mirror, similar to the Adventure Vision, that reflects the LCD image using the light that shines from the window on top.

Games

Only 5 games are known to have been released for the system.[9]

Since the cartridge didn't contain the actual games, only the graphics, it is not known if other games were programmed inside of the console for future releases, or if only the 5 were planned.

The names of the games on the cartridges came both in English and French:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Romtec Colorvision system. www.handheldmuseum.com.
  2. Web site: Romtec: Colorvision Master Unit (vintage hand-held game) . 2023-07-14 . HandheldEmpire.
  3. Web site: RF Generation: Romtec Colorvision (Romtec ColorVision) . 2023-07-14 . www.rfgeneration.com.
  4. Web site: Colorvision Master Unit Romtec (1984) ▷ Retro Handheld Games . 2023-07-14 . Retro Handheld Games . en.
  5. Web site: Featured . historia_dos_games Manoel Nogueira . Consoles de pouca expressão da terceira geração manoelnsn . 2023-07-14 . alvanista.com . en.
  6. Web site: 2018-12-26 . Electronic Plastic: ROMTEC ColorVision (1984) . 2023-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181226035222/http://www.electronicplastic.com/game/?company=&id=643&skip=&filter=&search= . 2018-12-26 .
  7. Web site: Colorvision by Bristol from Retrogames . www.retrogames.co.uk . 19 November 2020.
  8. Web site: Colorvision by Romtec – The Video Game Kraken . 19 November 2020.
  9. Web site: Romtec Handheld Games ▷ Retro Handheld Games . 2023-07-14 . Retro Handheld Games . en.
  10. Web site: ROMTEC COLORVISION CONSOLE Vintage Electronic Handheld Tabletop Video Game WOW #1958422459 . 2023-07-14 . Worthpoint . en.
  11. Web site: Horror House Romtec (unknown) ▷ Retro Handheld Games . 2023-07-14 . Retro Handheld Games . en.
  12. Web site: Jungle Boy - Fils de la Jungle Romtec (unknown) ▷ Retro Handheld Games . 2023-07-14 . Retro Handheld Games . en.
  13. Web site: Monster Chase - Chasse Aux Monstres Romtec (unknown) ▷ Retro Handheld Games . 2023-07-14 . Retro Handheld Games . en.
  14. Web site: BRISTOL COLORVISION ROMTEC SUBMARINE NEW BOXED VERY RARE TABLETOP LSI GAME 80's #410810979 . 2023-07-14 . Worthpoint . en.
  15. Web site: Submarine - Bataille Navale Romtec (unknown) ▷ Retro Handheld Games . 2023-07-14 . Retro Handheld Games . en.

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